Top Cars of the 2014 New York Auto Show

Lasers, Invisible Hood, and a Diesel-Powered Wagon

The latest and greatest cars have arrived at the 2014 New York Auto Show and this year showcases an interesting mix of concepts and production models. One concept vehicle will undoubtedy be a star of the show thanks to its arsenal of lasers and its "invisible" hood. Meanwhile, the batch of upcoming production cars should appeal to almost anyone, whether they're fans of top-down American muscle cars or a pint-sized, Italian two-seater with no power steering (yes, really).

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C

Yes, we've heard and yearned for this car for years, but now it's official: Following its U.S. debut at the New York auto show, the Alfa Romeo 4C will finally go on sale in the States by the start of summer. The 4C marks the return of Alfa Romeo, after the Italian brand's decades-long absence from our shores. Boasting a mid-mounted turbo-four, light curb weight, and just the bare essential ameneties, the 4C will be coveted by enthusiasts seeking a pure driving experience missing from many modern sports cars.

Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen TDI 4Motion Concept

Volkswagen has a habit of showing off "concept" cars that are essentially production ready. The Golf Sportwagen TDI 4Motion is one of those vehicles and its name explains it all. Previously sold as a Jetta, VW's Sportwagen will now fall under the Golf family and will be powered by the automaker's new 1.8-liter gasoline turbo-four. This concept, however, is diesel-powered and has 4Motion all-wheel drive. As if that weren't enough, a manual transmission is also available.

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept

Land Rover recently announced the Discovery nameplate would spawn its own lineup of vehicles and this concept is our first peek at what to expect. Dubbed the Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept, this three-row, seven-passenger SUV is packed with futuristic tech to make off-roading virtually error free. For starters, there's laser to scan objects and the depth of water, and the hood becomes virtually "invisible" thanks to an innovative system that combines a camera and a head-up display. It allows you to see the ground underneath the vehicle, to make tough off-roading easier.

2015 Jeep Renegade

New York marks the U.S. debut of the 2015 Jeep Renegade, which will be the smallest crossover in the brand's lineup. While we have yet to drive the 2015 Renegade, its styling has quickly grown on us thanks to a number of iconic Jeep design cues including its boxy shape and seven-slat grille. Power will come from a number of four-cylinder engines and Jeep promises the Renegade will be relatively good out on the trails. It even plans a "Trailhawk" edition for more rugged off-road adventures.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

General Motors is aiming to please more customers with the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible. Previously offered only as a coupe with a manual transmission, the 2015 Corvette Z06 will not only come in drop-top form, but will also have to option of an eight-speed quickly shifting automatic. A seven-speed manual gearbox will be standard. The 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V-8 will make around 625 hp, which means the Z06 should still be plenty of fun and extremely fast.

2015 BMW M4 Convertible

Arriving just in time for the summer is the 2015 BMW M4 convertible, which is essentially the replacement to the outgoing BMW M3 convertible. The 2015 M4 convertible will be powered by a 425-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, the same engine found in the M3 sedan and M4 coupe. Gearbox choices will be a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. Despite its power-retractable hardtop, the 2015 M4 convertible is actually 40 pounds lighter than its predecessor, thanks to generous use of lightweight aluminum and composite materials.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4Matic Coupe

The new 2015 Mercedes S63 AMG coupe essentially replaces the CL63 AMG. Serving as the high-performance upgrade to the S550 coupe, the S63 AMG is powered by a hand-built 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 577-hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive ensures that power is optimally put to the ground, helping the big two-door run from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 3.9 seconds. Expect that number to drop once we get our hands on this beast.